Nada Surya Sadashiva Temple, Karnataka

Address

Surya Temple Road Permanu, Belthangady, Nadu,

Karnataka 574214

Moolavar

Surya Sadashiva

Introduction

Surya Sadashiva Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Nada Village in Belthangady Taluk in Dakshina Kannada District in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple is called as Sadashiva Rudra Devasthana but is popularly called as Surya Temple. The temple is situated at about 4 Kms to the north of Ujire on Dharmasthala to Belthangady route via Ujire.

Puranic Significance

Once, a woman was chopping grass with her son. She hit a stone and noticed blood was oozing out from the stone she had hit. She got afraid and cried out Sureya to her son. Thus, the place came to be called as Sureya. Later, the name got corrupted to Suriya and finally Surya now.

The temple is believed to be built in 13th century CE. The temple received extensive patronage from local Banga chieftains, who ruled over this region. The temple is built in traditional coastal architecture with tiled sloping roof. There is a small arch at the entrance of the temple. The arch has stucco images of Lord Shiva & Parvati flanked by Nandi and lion. A tall Dwaja Sthamba can be seen in front of the temple facing towards the sanctum. The temple consists of sanctum with circumbulatory path and mandapa. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Surya Sadashiva in the form of Shiva Linga. There is a Kalyani (stepped well) outside the temple. This well is about 55 feet deep and has a narrow pathway leads to the well. There is a shine for Naga Devatas amidst a thickly forested area adjacent to the temple. There is a deep pit beyond this shrine. This pit has few rocks at the centre resembling Shiva Lingas.

Beliefs

This temple has a unique tradition of clay offerings to the Lord Shiva. Devotees offer the clay offerings if their wishes are fulfilled. The devotees along with their clay offerings have to go to the temple preferably on Mondays along with a coconut and a kilogram of rice. The priest accepts the offerings on behalf of god after a thorough examination. All the offerings are placed in a small place called Harake Bana (wish forest) near the temple. This place has thousands of clay models like children, cradles, limbs, houses, automobiles, coconuts, cattle, bullock carts, eyes, ears etc.